LIVE LARGE

By CHRIS BUNTING

June 21, 2005 -- IN this world there are two kinds of people: Couch potatoes content to drool all over themselves while watching MTV’s “Cribs”, and those adventurous enough to actually rent a celebrity home.

    If you’re of the latter set, read on.  

    For the right price, you too can sleep -- at your own risk, of course -- where Alice Cooper, Frank Sinatra and Madonna all laid, or still lay, their heads. But it won’t be cheap – most go for thousands of dollars a night.

    Who cares that these properties stretch from the soft sands of the invitation-only isle of Mustique to the palm-lined pools of the Southland? We understand that for true Gawker stalkers and Page Six-o-holics, travel isn’t about the “where” but the “who”.

    In that spirit, here’s our top 10 current or erstwhile celebrity dwellings for your perusal. 
          
       BRUCE WILLIS, PARROT CAY  
       Info: parrotcay.com  
You’ll see decadents -- not dead people -- at Bruce Willis’ lavish Caribbean hideaway. It’s located on a quiet, 1,000-acre resort island in Turks and Caicos. Bruce spends a handful of weeks out of the year at the compound, enjoying the serenity of a private cove surrounded by turquoise water and a complete absence of nightlife. When he isn’t around, the 3-bedroom residence is available for $2,930/night.

MICK JAGGER, MUSTIQUE

Info: villasoftheworld.com

Now that the (immortal?) Rolling Stones are touring yet again this summer, Mick Jagger’s villa on the private Grenadine island of Mustique might just have a vacancy or two. Six Japanese-styled (bamboo-walled) pavilions sit among a lush garden, private pool and coral sand. Relax on the wicker furniture or marinate in the sunken hot tub – you can’t go wrong. Other notable neighbors on the island include Princess Margaret and David Bowie from time to time. The low-season rate of $13,000/week ($16,000 in high season) includes use of Mick’s private Jeep that sits eight.  

RICHARD BRANSON, NECKER ISLAND  

Info: necker.com

          Richard Branson might as well use a red carpet for a welcome mat considering his private villa in the British Virgin Islands has hosted the likes of Oprah, Steven Spielberg, Mariah Carey and Princess Di. Not only does the Virgin Atlantic magnate own the 12-bedroom villa, he owns the lush 74-acre island on which it sits. Included on the property are two Jacuzzis, two pools, tennis court, snooker room and an “aqua trampoline” (whatever that is, it sounds fun). Rates range from $20,000 and $42,000 per night, depending on the room and number of guests.

FRANK SINATRA, PALM SPRINGS, CA

          Info: vacationhomes.com

See that chip in the kitchen sink? That’s from a bottle Frank Sinatra threw during one of his famed tirades -- obviously this house is authentic. Old Blue Eyes’ 4,500 sq. foot, 3-bedroom pad was specifically designed and for Frank and Nancy Sinatra by Stewart Williams and was built in the same ‘hood where Al Jolson, Jack Benny and Cary Grant lived. Frank threw many a house party here, hosting everyone from Bob Hope to Greta Garbo. But not every memory was pleasant. Frank once threw his other wife Eva Gardner’s clothes out on the driveway after she showed up hoping to catch him trysting with Lana Turner. Make your own memories here for $12,000/week, and don’t forget to take a dip in the piano-shaped pool.

ALICE COOPER, TUCSON, AZ 
       Info: vacationhomes.com  
Chicken killer or not, there’s plenty to cluck about shock-rocker Alice Cooper’s former Arizona nest. The 10,000 square-footer has 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, marble floors, even an elevator. The lower floor has a game room and entertainment center (a 60-inch TV, wet bar, pool table and maid’s quarters) specifically designed by the rock star. Is it any surprise the Tucson pad goes for $2,000/week in the summer ($3,000 in December)? Don’t try booking any time soon, however - it’s booked through July.

ROBIN LEACH, JUMBY BAY, ANTIGUA

Info: goin2travel.com/goldendreams.htm

Seems like all those years of profiling the rich and famous made Robin Leach one in his own right. He has a 3-acre property on a private island in the Eastern Caribbean on which the Englishman has built an Italian-modeled villa – called “Golden Dreams” – along with four separate guest houses. Outside you’ll find manicured rows of palm trees, a koi pond, tennis court, croquet lawn and cactus gardens. Inside there’s a spiral staircase, a state-of-the-art business center, a big screen TV and plenty of “Lifestyle” tapes and DVDs to fuel the owner’s ego. The all-inclusive property is  $38,000/week to rent in low season, $48,000 in the high season.       

MADONNA, MANHATTAN

          Info: lowellhotel.com

How does Madonna, now 46, still have a body like an 18-year-old? It didn’t hurt that when the material girl lived for nine months in a suite at The Lowell on the Upper East Side, she had it converted into a full gym. Today the “Gym Suite” has been transformed into the more than 1,000 square-foot Manhattan Suite. Inside you’ll find a Crema Marfil & Breccia Rosia marble bathroom, King sized bed, wood-burning fireplace, two flat screen TVs, and a deep soaking Jacuzzi --but there’s no longer a gym. No worries. Book the suite and you get complimentary access to the hotel’s Fitness Center. It goes for $1,725/night.

JOE DIMAGGIO + MARILYN MONROE, PALM SPRINGS, CA

          Info: vacationhomes.com

Granted, the relationship between Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe was marred by violence, infidelity, intoxication and jealousy – but they presumably spent at least a few hours of bliss at their home in Southern California. For a mere $12,960/week, you can live as the Yankee Clipper and the first Playboy Playmate lived—in a four bedroom, six bathroom hacienda with a motor court, pool, spa and tennis court. The gated estate sits 20 minutes from the Palm Springs airport.

LIZ TAYLOR, PUERTA VALLARTA, MEXICO

          Info: vallarta-info.com

          Liz Taylor and Richard Burton hatched a genius plan of buying two houses when they lived in Puerta Vallarta. Casa Kimberly, the main residence, was connected to the second home across the street via a pink bridge. Rumor has it that when Burton got drunk (which was often), Liz would boot him out of the main house into his “doghouse” across the way to sleep it off. Brilliant! Casa Kimberly – whose name Liz failed to change – was sold by the diva in 1990 but still has some of her original furniture, pictures and other knick knacks. Now a B&B, it rents for a modest $150-$250/night in low season, $295-$395 in high.

COCO CHANEL, PARIS

Info: ritzparis.com

Philosopher cum fashionista Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (you may know her as “Coco” or “Mademoiselle”) lived at the Ritz Paris for more than 30 years. The suite was so accommodating that she didn’t even leave when the Nazis occupied Paris (her sexual fling with a German officer caused a bit of an uproar). Nowadays, the famous glitzy hotel rents out the “Coco Chanel Suite” for as much as $8,000/night. The suite’s restored furniture, baroque mirrors and Coromandel lacquer recreate the classy, jazzy world that Coco reveled in.